In 2013, a Chinese businessman hired a hitman to "take out" his competitor for $282,000. But the hitman hired another man to do the job, offering $141,000. That man hired another hitman, who hired another hitman, who hired another hitman. The final hitman was offered only $14,100, and he contacted the target and asked him to fake his death.
The fifth hitman helped Wei stage his death. Wei was bound and gagged in photos, and Ling Xiansi sent the photos to his employer. The news traveled up the chain of subcontractors up to the original client, businessman Tan Youhui.
However, after the photos of Wei were taken, the police were notified.
Tan Youhui, the real estate developer, was sentenced to five years in prison, while the five hitmen were sentenced between two to four years of prison time.
